Scan barcode
clairebartholomew549's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Special thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for giving me an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
The premise of this book is ridiculous and outrageously fun: set in 1300s England, we follow a noble lady, Johanna, whose family has arranged a marriage for her based on a jousting tournament, and her best friend, Cecily ("Lily"), who disguises herself as a knight and enters the jousting tournament to save her. Of course, shenanigans ensue, and along the way they fall in love.
I loved the set-up of this book and enjoyed Lily and Johanna's love story and journey to figure out what they want and how to be together in an incredibly patriarchal and homophobic society and time. There obviously aren't many books written about queer people in Arthurian England, and this book is a really valuable addition because of course there were many queer people back then trying to figure out how to be themselves and have the love they wanted and deserved. Where this book fell flat for me was the writing - I found it a bit childish at times, and the constant use of italics irked me. It never really felt like the stakes were too high, and I wish some of the other characters had been fleshed out more. But at the end of the day, this is a fun, sexy romp with heartwarming messages.
The premise of this book is ridiculous and outrageously fun: set in 1300s England, we follow a noble lady, Johanna, whose family has arranged a marriage for her based on a jousting tournament, and her best friend, Cecily ("Lily"), who disguises herself as a knight and enters the jousting tournament to save her. Of course, shenanigans ensue, and along the way they fall in love.
I loved the set-up of this book and enjoyed Lily and Johanna's love story and journey to figure out what they want and how to be together in an incredibly patriarchal and homophobic society and time. There obviously aren't many books written about queer people in Arthurian England, and this book is a really valuable addition because of course there were many queer people back then trying to figure out how to be themselves and have the love they wanted and deserved. Where this book fell flat for me was the writing - I found it a bit childish at times, and the constant use of italics irked me. It never really felt like the stakes were too high, and I wish some of the other characters had been fleshed out more. But at the end of the day, this is a fun, sexy romp with heartwarming messages.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
lackyducks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Having not yet read the first book (waiting for it to be available from my library), I was able to fall into this world without issue. Lily and Jo are both such vivid characters, and I love how they clash, yet meet in the middle.
The plot is tropey and unrealistic, but I loved it. The various twists and turns it took were exciting, and whilst I predicted some, I didn't predict others.
I did feel a little cheated out of more tournament, though. I was looking forward to watching Lily beat everyone </3
The plot is tropey and unrealistic, but I loved it. The various twists and turns it took were exciting, and whilst I predicted some, I didn't predict others.
I did feel a little cheated out of more tournament, though. I was looking forward to watching Lily beat everyone </3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia
period typical homophobia/transphobia does play a part in the characters internal monologues and the worldbuilding at large, but is not sharply focused on!ellieinthelibrary's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail